You guys.... you guys. I've been waiting to show you these adult fairy wings FOREVER (but really like 2 months) because they are going to be in a magazine at the end of this month. It's the real deal. I mailed them my wings, they took some gorgeous shots, I'll be mentioned in the photos along with my shop, with other wings makers all over the country!

I've seen some sneak peaks on the photos my friends... and they. are. amazing.

But I can't show you yet! They are special for the magazine.

I had my dear dear dear friend Ashley (she's on twitch and she's hilarious) come over and let me take a few shots of the fairy wings since I've just been dying to share.

They are one of a kind, hand made, fairy wings. I don't think I could make a matching pair if I tried. They have a whopping 37 inches wing span, and are completely gold on the front side of the wings.

Oh yeah. And they are super glittery.

I mean really, you should check these out in the shop before they are gone. Halloween is coming my fairies! And these wings are definitely moody and mysterious.

And if you haven't checked out some of my other adult fairy wings, which also happen to be pretty child friendly, you really should. Cause they are adorable.

Anywhoo, the inspiration behind these adult fairy wings was the Spanish Luna Moth.

I love how the wings of this moth look almost cartoonish, or more like stained glass with the dark outlines. It's such a striking moth! Luna moths in general have been an inspiration to me in my artwork, including some of my darker, more emotional pieces like this guy.

Once luna moths come out of the cocoon, they have no mouths. These gorgeous little insects are basically born again to starve in a week. They are tragically gorgeous.

One of my very first pairs of adult fairy wings were Luna Moths, so when I was asked to create something for the magazine with greens and purples in mind, some sort of luna moth was the first thing I wanted to recreate. I also wanted to keep these adult fairy wings fairly moody, instead of light and sweet like so many others I have made. These large wings needed to be dramatic

So the Spanish Luna moth it was for inspiration.

I hope you guys enjoy! Comment below to let me know what you think of the wings! And I'll be sending out a newsletter when the magazine is published for your viewing pleasure! That way you can see all the gorgeous magazine photos first. ;)

Golden Milk or Turmeric Milk is one of my favorite autumnal treats!

Fall is starting to show its head here in California, and everyone is getting sick at the office. I usually make golden milk when I'm starting to feel a cold come on.

I swear it helps destroy my oncoming cold, and also helps with depression and general feelings of ICK. There's a bunch of other benefits for drinking golden milk that i'll mention down at the bottom on this post, so stay tuned. ;)

When I'm feeling sick, I try to avoid too much sugar and caffeine as well, so I make this recipe to have no caffeine in it, which also makes it perfect for sleepy time!

This recipe is good for one or two servings, so if you want to make a big batch of it I would at least quadruple the recipe to have enough for the week. You just need to store in an airtight contain and keep the remainder of the golden milk concentrate in your fridge!

Here's what you need to feel like you are drinking a cozy, spicy sweater:

INGREDIENTS:

cheesecloth (you'll thank me later and you'll use this so much if you love making concoctions at home)

1 oz ginger (or roughly thereof)

1.5 oz fresh turmeric root (or 1 tbsp turmeric powder is fine too, I just don't like all the sludgy powder at the bottom.)

If you want this to be like a chai latte, add in 4 bags of black tea. I usually love using STASH double chai spice. Just give me all the spices. But any sort of black tea will do.

If you are a pumpkin spice gal, add in a tablespoon of pumpkin puree and a dash of almond extract for some extra fall cozy goodness. From personal experience, it'll have a shorter lifespan in your fridge. Probably about 3-5 days depending. Smaller batches are better for this particular golden milk version.

DIRECTIONS:

Toss the tea bags into the 4 cups warming water on the stove (if you are making the caffeinated version).

While your water is starting to boil, chop up your roots (not too small if you aren't using cheese cloth. it'll make straining everything out much easier)

Put all your dry ingredients into a largish square if cheese cloth with the roots and tie off.

Carefully put your cheesecloth ball into the boiling water.

Boil for 5 minutes, then let simmer for about 20.

Then add in your sweetener and let your concoction reduce down a little further. You want it to be thick and almost syrupy since this is a concentrated form.

Once you have reached the desired thickness, turn off heat and remove your cheesecloth tea bag.

So simple right? Store your leftovers in an airtight container so you can enjoy it later!

If you want to get my favorite recipes in your inbox, just sign up here for first dibs! There will definitely be more coming soon now that holiday season is on the horizon.

[mailerlite_form form_id=1]

Here are some of the benefits of drinking golden milk on a regular basis:

Turmeric is a well-researched anti-inflammatory as well as a super strong antioxidant.

It helps to build general immunity.

Turmeric has anti-viral and antibacterial properties, which makes it great for helping cold symptoms.

Turmeric and ginger are both super great for your digestive system.

Turmeric has been known to help keep your liver in good shape!

Turmeric has been known to help headaches, especially those associated with stress, cold symptoms or sinus problems. ( This I have PERSONALLY experieced along with all the cold helping things)

Hey ladies, because Tumeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, as well as Ginger, this drink is also super helpful for menstrual bloating and pain. (omg it really helps me so much and advil and motrin to not work for me very well)

I am no health practitioner, but I have found that drinking golden milk on a regular basis has definitely helped with all the benefits mentioned above.

It's delicious, it makes me feel cozy and sleepy and happy, AND keeps those dang colds at bay. WIN WIN for sure!

I hope you guys enjoyed! What are some of your favorite ways of making golden milk? Mention it in the comments below!

This post comes a little late in the day (cough pretty late cough). I was going to try and write something super insightful and poetic, but somehow that's not what's going to happen right now. So bear with me.

autumnal reflection firefly lights blog

I used to be so good at journalling, drawing in my sketchbook every day, somehow getting creative thoughts and juices going constantly. It's been a slow downhill battle since I got out of college.

And then adulting happened.

It's a struggle to keep the magic alive. I know all of us go through this at some point, whether the magic was the good ol' days of college and high school or your highest point of self-expression and creation. Or just when things seemed to be going your way.

And for whatever reason, every autumn I feel that touch of magic again. Colors change, the air starts to get a little colder (which is not saying much since I live in California but gosh dang it at least I can't cook an egg in my car anymore) Halloween festivities and all the family holidays and starting to converge. I want this time to be magical and fun.

autumnal reflection firefly lights blog

I

want

to make things special. I want to create. I want to let go of thoughts about work and schedules and planning and just FLOW with whatever my brain and hands want to do.

But you have to adult.

I want bonfires, pumpkin carving, costume making, crunchy leaves under my feet, whiskey and apple cider, all my scarves, blankets, and hyyge the heck out of my home. (Please show me a raise of hands if I'm not alone)

It's a struggle. At it may sound a little childish, I know. But I can't function unless there's a little something out of the ordinary going on. It's what makes my heart happy.

autumnal reflection firefly lights blog

So let's vow to ourselves to never let that little magic flame to go. Maybe it's

to be able to take the time and do the things that make your heart happy. You know, outside the "light some candles, make some tea and go to bed early" kind of thing.

That excitement is what sets our souls alight. Traditions for the season. That burning for the next music festival, for your next art show, or getting new products into your shop. For that thing that you always wanted to do but never could make the time to go. Or heck, finally meeting up with those friends you promised to meet up with.

Cause we all do that thing where we absolutely mean to, but it just doesn't happen.

Let's promise ourselves we'll do it this season. Whatever it is. We'll take the time to reflect, to keep the magic going, and be true to ourselves.

I NEED A COZY OUTDOOR SPACE.

It's not even funny you guys.

With summer starting to come to a close and never have been able to get outside.... I've been DAY DREAMING of the perfect cozy outdoor space to hang out with family and friends. BBQ smoking, cozy soft sofas and twinkly lights under the stars with a fire pit going for Smore's in case the air turns refreshingly chilly...

They are probably just going to dream for a while longer (both because of the California heat and the amount of free time I have to take on this project) but I thought I would share some photos that have been particularly inspiring as of late.

current-obsession-outdoor-spaces-garden1

current-obsession-outdoor-spaces-garden1

current-obsession-outdoor-spaces-garden1

current-obsession-outdoor-spaces-garden1

current-obsession-outdoor-spaces-garden

So here's my master list of things to acquire to make the perfect cozy outdoor space:

Firepit. - cause Smore's Seriously.

Palette Sofa - I found this tutorial thanks to Pinterest and I can't WAIT to give it a go. My roommate left some palette boards on the side of the house and I'm itching to sand and paint them.

Outdoor Pillows - I've been eyeing these beauts from Cost Plus but making a few cute ones too seems like a more budget friendly plan. You can't have the perfect outdoor space without lots of pillows!

Outdoor Rug - I've been scouring the internet for a decent outdoor rug (both for camping purposes and for this dream space I'm imagining ) and yes again, so far Cost Plus has had the cutest options.

Twinkly Lights - I found these lovely solar ones at Cost Plus so I wouldn't have to plug in anything and be environmentally friendly!

PLANT BABIES .- I can never have enough plant babies and I constantly want to feel like i'm in a jungle. I can skip the humidity, but warmth and plants? Yes.

Fabric Garland - I think these are so fun and festive. They are easy to make, and you can make them for any holiday without being too cheesy! Plus, you can raid the scraps section of your favorite fabric store to really keep it in buget.

What would you guys do to create the perfect outdoor space? Let me know in the comments below or share pictures of your creations!

FAIRY WINGS GIVEAWAY!

How exciting is this, you guys?! Since it's my birthday, I thought I would do a little something to give back to all you wonderful people out there who have been following me and supporting me. <3

These little itty bitty fairy wings are just the most precious! I wanted to create something cute and sweet, but also something that could handle travel for music festivals and other events! These little guys come with silver elastic straps as well as a brace in the back if you want to go strap free! These fairy wings are lightweight yet sturdy, perfect for frolicking and dancing! The itty bitty size also makes it convenient to navigate through a large crowd of people, so nothing gets bumped out of place!

These pair of wings come with a brace as well as cute glittery silver elastic straps. You can slide the wings into the back of a sturdy bra or corset, or just use the elastic straps if you aren't wearing either of those! They are hand painted on the front and then sparkly and silver on the other side of the wings. No sparkle has been left out.

Here's how you enter for the fairy wings giveaway

1. Follow my Instagram account @firefly_lights

2. Tag a friend on this post who would also love to win!

Bonus Entries for a better chance to win!

1. Scroll to the bottom and sign up for my newsletter ( no spam I promise, just freebies and art and things)

2. The more friends you tag in the comments the more entries you have!

Share this post

Some Restrictions:

Must be 18 and over to win.

Outside of USA will help with half of shipping.

Giveaway closes at September 14th at Midnight.

That's it! It's super simple. The more entries you have the better chance you have to win!

I first joined the Goddess Provisions box subscription back in April ( I JUST missed the mermaid box. Still having regrets.) and so far my experience has been FANTASTIC.

But here are the basic facts.

It's all vegan-friendly. Cruelty-free for the win!

You get 4-6 full sized products for 33 bucks a month.

The boxes usually have a mix of beauty, aromatherapy, and super food snacks.

There's pretty much always a crystal of some sorts in the box.

This month's Goddess Provisions theme was Unicorn.

Unicorn Brush, CHECK

Unicorn highlighter, CHECK

Fancy schmancy sprinkles for your unicorn lattes, CHECK

Plus some other fun goodies and a sticker for my Nalgene!

This wonderfully refreshing Unicorn perfume will now be in my purse and I'm super excited to use the Unicorn Dust highlighter for my mermaid look later this month!

Here are a few other products that I now use on the daily from the previous boxes:

These happy drops have been a life saver these last couple months. I definitely feel a boost in my mood after taking a couple drops and love to use it to sweeten my tea a little. Sometimes I worry myself into anxious little circles and this definitely helps.

I was also looking for a good hair oil to use and then magically this hair oil from Prim Botanicals shows up in the box! 4 little drops of this stuff in the morning and my hair detangles instantly, plus the tips are getting the nourishment they need. It's so great my boyfriend is even starting to steal it from me. It's got a lovely rosemary / herbal smell to it so it's definitely a very gender neutral hair product. I'll definitely be ordering more when I run out!

My boyfriend also has a sensitive stomach and I'm a little prone to bloating, and this gingery digestive bitters from Urban Moonshine does the trick. It definitely tastes medicinal, but it works.

Before this box subscription, I've never heard of palo santo before! I received two sticks total in the last couple months as well as some palto santo essential oil. It's now my favorite incense to burn in the house. It's got a very earthy sweet smell and I find it to be incredibly soothing. Also pictured are most of crystals I've received from the box during the last few months!

Last, but not least, is this sweet simple copper moon necklace. Fun fact, I wore this while I was at Lightning In A Bottle and someone passing me on one of the bridges high fived me and yelled "GODDESS PROVISIONS RIGHT?" and I was super excited. I love wearing this piece all the time and layering it with my other favorite necklaces.

So in conclusion:

So there you have it! My experience with Goddess Provisions has been fantastic so far. There's a great mix of products that I actually love and use, which wassomething I was always a little worried about before signing up for a subscription box. Try it for yourselves, check out their Instagram account for all their beautiful posts and hints for the next box. You'll love the box too!

*This is not an affiliate post. I just truely love this subscription service and waited for a few months to fully formulate my opinion and decided it was something worth sharing!

Sometimes it feels like the world is falling apart. I know that sounds melodramatic, but staying positive isn't that easy. Those who are able to keep that attitude all the time have had some serious practice. It takes time to train your brain to think in a different way. But regardless of how positive and upbeat of a human being you are, there are just some days where the all the little things build up and hope seems to be a tiny little light at the end of an impossibly long tunnel.

No matter what is bothering you, whether it's something unfortunately huge or just not a good day, here are some tips that have helped me stay positive through tough times.

6-tips-for-staying-positive-4

Ask for help.

This is the HARDEST one for me. I have this crazy notion that I can't be a real adult unless Ido things all on my own, but in reality, those you love are more than happy to lift you up if you need a boost.

Make a Very Good Things list

Even if the only thing that day that is bringing you joy is your cup of coffee, put that on the list. Or think about what made you happy during the week. Write down your tiny triumphs. You'll realize very quickly how fast that list fills up.

6-tips-for-staying-positive-3

Make time for Me Time.

Take a bath, read a book, watch your favorite show. It's ok to withdraw for a little to give yourself some breathing room.

Eat that dessert.

Don't go overboard. But TREAT YO-SELF.

6-tips-for-staying-positive-2

Make a plan for the day.

Then for the week, maybe even the month. Things don't feel so overwhelming when you made your own step by step process.

Put something on your to do list for the day you can cross off.

Feeling like you are getting some things done can help relieve some of those anxious feelings, especially if the reason why you are upset is about feeling stuck.

Day dream.

About positive things only. Whatever makes you happy. For me, it's what fantasy costume I'm going to make next or imagining new dance moves I want to try.

6-tips-for-staying-positive-1

Cook yourself something yummy. No microwaves.

If you can't have mom or SO cooking for you, take the moment to cook yourself a super yummy rewarding dinner. You'll think better with some protein in your system anyways.

It's easy to let your anxiety and worries keep your brain spiraling. Staying positive in an active choice you have to make. It's not easy to make that choice

Staying positive isn't always easy, but hopefully some of these tips will help you like they did me. It takes some focus and time. Babies need patterns for a reason, and finding out what tools and patterns work best for you will definitely help! You can read about

This was a lovely portrait commission that I got a while back! I've been waiting to post it because it was commissioned as an anniversary present! So there was no way I was going to spoil the surprise.

And as a fellow nerd... I HAD to add in the famous line.

This was definitely one of the most fun portrait commissions that I've had in a while! Wishing the happy couple lots of love and happiness, and may they have many stellar adventures together! Pun always intended.

Have you guys checked out any of my other work yet? You can see my full portfolio as well as some of my other illustration posts! Contact me if you want a special portrait done too! [contact-form][contact-field label='Name' type='name' required='1'/][contact-field label='Email' type='email' required='1'/][contact-field label='Website' type='url'/][contact-field label='Comment' type='textarea' required='1'/][/contact-form]

One of my nearest and dearest friends got married last month! I was a bridesmaid and part of all the festivities, but you couldn't imagine the joy that filled my heart when my lovely Freya asked me to make her a flower crown for her reception. I don't know if you noticed yet... But flowers are kind of my favorite thing.
She sent me some pictures of what she was looking for and I immediately ran to the nearest craft store to pick up some supplies.

Did I forget to mention she asked me to do this for her the Thursday before her Saturday wedding? It was crafting time.

She originally wanted a big boho-inspired flower crown to wear during the reception, and the rest of the time be used as decoration for her gorgeous, intimate back yard wedding. I decided to make TWO for her because I know my friend, and she's the kind of gal who had multiple reception dresses picked out already. I had to make sure that the flower crown was going to be perfect.

The first design had lots of big roses and peonies, just like the pictures she sent me for reference. I probably spend a good two hours going up and down the same two faux flower lines at Michales making sure I picked out exactly what she wanted. I don't know if the store clerks thought I was crazy or found it intriguing.

For the second design, I went with a daintier feel with simple twining branches, hydrangea flowers and pearls for the centers. I wasn't able to measure Freya's head before the wedding, so I made sure the crown was adjustable with gold ribbon. Her theme was black, white and gold.

Many hot glue sticks later and slightly singed fingers, and the crowns were ready to go! All we had to do was get ready!

We started getting ready at 11 am.... and the wedding wasn't until 5 pm. And we were just down the street in the nearest hotel to get ready. It was quite the affair.

The ceremony itself was short and sweet, but the words those two love birds said to each other brought everyone some misty eyes. Once the glass was smashed (mazal tov!) it was time for us to do the same.

All in all, it was a fantastic wedding, and I couldn't be happier for my best friend and incredible HUSBAND. It's going to take some getting used to say that. And guess what? She went with the dainty one (COUGHIKNEWITCOUGH) and she looked gorgeous all night long.

I love this lady. Oh. And here's what happened to the other flower crown. It was chilling over the appetizers.

If YOU want a custom flower crown that you can keep forever, send me a message and let's get your vision for your next event (or even wedding) going! Or, you can join my email list and you'll be the first to know when my shop is open, flower crowns and other fairy goodies are for sale and even the first to get some freebies. ;)